A multilayer piezoelectric ceramic is constituted by: piezoelectric ceramic layers which do not contain lead as a constituent element, have a perovskite compound expressed by the composition formula Li.sub.xNa.sub.yK.sub.1−x−yNbO.sub.3 (where 0.02<x≤0.1, 0.02<x+y≤1) as the primary component, and contain 0.2 to 3.0 mol of Li relative to 100 mol of the primary component; and internal electrode layers which are constituted by a metal that contains silver by 80 percent by mass or more; wherein the multilayer piezoelectric ceramic is such that Li compounds other than the primary component are localized therein. The multilayer piezoelectric element can offer excellent insulating property.

An end-surface-reflection surface acoustic wave device, which reflects a surface acoustic wave between first and second end surfaces facing each other, includes a support substrate, an intermediate layer, a piezoelectric layer, and an IDT electrode. The first end surface is located at one end portion in a surface-acoustic-wave propagation direction and extends from a main surface of the piezoelectric layer to at least a portion of the intermediate layer. The second end surface is located at the other end portion in the surface-acoustic-wave propagation direction and extends from the main surface of the piezoelectric layer to at least a portion of the intermediate layer. The support substrate includes support substrate portions that are located outside the first and second end surfaces in the surface-acoustic-wave propagation direction.

An ultrasound vibration device is provided with a stacked transducer in which a plurality of piezoelectric single crystal element layers are stacked between two metal blocks. Since each of the two metal blocks and the plurality of piezoelectric single crystal element layers is fusion-bonded relative to a stack direction by bonding metal having a melting point corresponding to half a Curie point of the plurality of piezoelectric single crystal element layers or below, it is possible to use non-lead material, reduce a processing cost and realize inexpensiveness.

A microactuator for a suspension is described. The microactuator includes a multi-layer PZT device having a first face and an opposite second face. Each layer of the multi-layer PZT device is configured to operate in its d15 mode when actuated by an actuation voltage. The layers are configured as a stack such that each layer is configured to act in the same direction when actuated such that the first face moves in shear relative to the second face.

A method for producing a piezoelectric stack actuator and a piezoelectric stack actuator are disclosed. To increase service life of a piezoelectric stack actuator made up of individual actuators, includes providing at least two actuators the method and designed and configured to generate a deflection along an axis (A) when electrically activated; and coupling the at least two actuators to form the stack actuator such that deflections of the actuators generated when the actuators are electrically activated are overlaid along a stacking axis (S) and there is a force-coupling of the actuators over at least one coupling area (K) that is smaller than a projection area (P) of the actuator onto a plane (E) perpendicular to the stacking axis.

A substrate includes a substrate main body that includes a first main surface and a second main surface facing the first main surface. First electrode lands are disposed inside a recessed portion of the first main surface of the substrate main body. Second electrode lands are disposed in a region outside the recessed portion. The first electrode land and the second electrode land are connected to different electric potentials.

A Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) device which includes a piezoelectric stack on a substrate separated by a dielectric layer is disclosed. The piezoelectric stack includes first and second piezoelectric layers with a first electrode below the first piezoelectric layer and a contact pad and a second electrode between the first and second piezoelectric layers. A first contact extends through the piezoelectric layers and contact pad to the first electrode and a second contact extends through the second piezoelectric layer to the second electrode. The contact pad prevents an interface to form between the first and second piezoelectric layers in the contact opening, thus preventing corrosion of the piezoelectric layers during contact formation process.

The present invention relates to a stacked piezoelectric ceramic element and can provide a stacked piezoelectric ceramic element produced by stacking two or more ceramic green sheets, the stacked piezoelectric ceramic element having a structure in which a ceramic porous or defective part constituting the stacked piezoelectric ceramic element is impregnated with an organic resin, thereby improving waterproof performance capable of preventing the deterioration of insulation resistance in a highly humid environment.

An ultrasonic transducer includes a stack of flat electrodes between which are interposed ceramic wafers of substantially same surface area as the electrodes, stacked contours of the ceramic wafers and electrode wafers defining substantially flat or cylindrical side faces of the stack. A method of manufacturing the transducer includes: alternatively stacking a ceramic wafer and an electrode wafer, placing between each ceramic wafer and its two neighboring electrodes a composition of which at least 75% by weight, or at least 80% by weight, that includes silver nanoparticles having a grain size of smaller than or equal to 80 nanometers, or smaller than or equal to 60 nanometers; and compressing the stack by heating to a temperature of less than or equal to 280° C., or between 200° C. and 250° C.

The present invention provides a piezoelectric material not containing lead and potassium, having a high relative density, a high Curie temperature, and a high mechanical quality factor, and exhibiting good piezoelectricity. The piezoelectric material contains 0.04 percent by mole or more and 2.00 percent by mole or less of Cu relative to 1 mol of metal oxide represented by General formula (1) below.
((Na.sub.1-zLi.sub.z).sub.xBa.sub.1-y)(Nb.sub.yTi.sub.1-y)O.sub.3 (in Formula, 0.70≦x≦0.99, 0.75≦y≦0.99, and 0<z<0.15, and x<y)  General formula (1)